The Good Old Times

We all know that Rome is known for the best delicacies. Knowing that Rome is in Italy (yeah, that’s basic geography, we know), we also know that the food served would always be tasty and of its best. Just think of pizza and pasta and all its yummy goodness.

But did any of us know what the people in ancient Rome have been eating back when pasta and pizza weren’t on its top list yet? If you ask us… nope, we didn’t know it yet – not until today. So here we are scribbling what we know about the ancient food in ancient Rome.

During the ancient times, Roman meals revolved around corn, wine, and oil. The elite ones, however, enjoy exotic foods aside from the staple ones. Fish and oysters were rich source of protein while those who could afford meat enjoy pork. Other sources of protein include some exotic food like snails and dormice.

Pastries were already present during ancient times. Together with tarts and cakes, pastries were sweetened with honey. They were made available commercially and were even made in every household.

Ironic as it may seem, although the great and tasty food were available right then and there, but vegetables and fruits were imported.

The basic order of meal among Romans was breakfast, dinner (which is the largest meal of the day) and a small supper. Eventually, they changed the order of their meals to breakfast, light lunch then dinner.

The rich and the poor have different kinds of meal in a day. Those who could afford have three courses per meal: an appetizer (basically consists of egg, fish, or raw vegetables), main course (consists of vegetables and meat), and lastly, desert consisting of fruits and pastries. Those who barely have anything eat porridge or bread with meat and vegetables.

Foods were cooked in a different way. Most of the times, it is cooked in an open fire with a little hole at the top of the kitchen to give room for smoke to flow out of the house. Cauldrons were either hanged by chains or seated on gridirons. Pastries, however, were cooked in circular dome ovens.

Most Romans sat upright when eating. The elite usually have recliners and have dinner parties outdoors. On the other hand, food was eaten with their fingers and was cut down using a knife. Spoons were used to eat eggs and other liquids.

On the other hand, if you're visiting Rome, you can try some of our accommodations in Rome. There are great vacation rentals in Rome in Piazza Navona. And you know where to log on the net when you're looking for apartment in Rome. :) See you online and we hope you'll share your travel stories with us.